Ventilated and soundproofed enclosure for printer



arch 14, 1967 J. M, CUNNINGHAM 3,308,919

VENTILATED AND SOUNDPROOFED ENCLOSURE FOR PRINTER Filed May 28, 1965 2Sheets-$heet 1 INVENTOR JAMES M. CUNNINGHAM QMM A T TOFPNE Y March 14,1967 J. M. CUNNINGHAM 3,308,919

VENTILATED AND SOUNDPROOFED ENCLOSURE FOR PRINTER Filed May 28, 1965 2Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG. 2

United States Patent 4 O 3,308,919 VENTELATED AND SUUNDPROOFEDENCLCESURE FOR PRINTER James M. Cunningham, Eudwell, N.Y., assignor toInternational Business Machines Corporation, Armonk,

N.Y., a corporation of New York Filed May 28, 1965, er. No. 459,749 4Claims. (Cl. 197-486) This invention relates generally to printerstructures; and it has reference in particular to a combinationsoundproofing and ventilating structure for a high speed impact printer.

Generally stated, it is an object of this invention to provide improvedpackaging of a high speed printer for reducing the noise level andincreasing the ventilation of a plurality of hot spots in the printerstructure.

More specifically, it is an object of the present invention to providefor reducing the noise level of a high speed impact type printer whichrequires an open access station for continuously storing a continuousforms document being worked on at the print station in the printer.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide for using anacoustic trap as a ventilation exhaust, and an exit for a continuousforms document in a high speed impact printer.

Another object of the invention is to provide for passing a continuousforms document from the print station in a printer through an acoustictrap having both a length to width ratio in excess of twelve to one, andhaving a plurality of transverse ribs or corners against which thedocument is held taut as it is fed to the exterior access station.

Another object of the invention is to provide, in an acoustic trap for ahigh speed impact type printer, for having a perforated guide plateencasing an acoustic mat so as to provide a plurality of corners overwhich the document being printed on is drawn.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide an acoustic trap for ahigh speed impact printer including an elongated, relatively narrowgenerally curved path for the document and for the passage of coolingair, said path having an enlarged portion intermediate its ends.

It is also an object of this invention to provide an acousticallytreated document path and air passage for a high speed impact printerwhich includes a relatively long, narrow approximately curved passagewith an angular enlargement intermediate the ends generally tangent toadjoining portions of the passage.

In practicing the invention in accordance with the preferred embodiment,an integral, acoustic and ventilating structure is provided for a highspeed impact printer having a chain or train-like character bearingstructure continuously moving past a plurality of print stationson oneside of a continuous forms document, and having a plurality of impacttype print hammers on the opposite side of the document for impactingagainst the document and type to print on the document. The printen.structure is provided with acoustic padding and an inner baflle definesbetween itself and the cover, a relatively long, narrow exit path forthe document, terminating in an open document receptacle in one wall ofthe structure. The baftle comprises a perforated document guide whichhas a plurality of transverse ribs against which the document is heldfirmly by exterior feed rolls so as to eliminate conduction of noise bythe document itself. Ventilating fans draw air into the enclosurethrough filters and direct it to the print area and to the type trainwhere the principle heat is generated, after which it is exhaustedthrough the acoustic passage through which the document passes.

The foregoing and other objects, features and advantages of theinvention will be apparent from the following more particular.description of a preferred embodiment of the invention, as illustratedin the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a printer embodying the invenitonwith the covers removed to show the frame and general structuralarrangement schematically;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view in elevation, to a slightly enlargedscale, of the printer shown in FIG. 1, showing the document andventilation flow paths, and;

FIG. 3 is a partial, sectional view along the lines 3 -3 of FIG. 2showing the document guide baffle relative to the top cover.

Referring generally to FIGS. 1 and 2, it will be seen that the printergenerally of the type disclosed in Patent No. 3,241,480, which issued onMarch 22, 1966, comprises an impact print hammer mechanism showngenerally at 10, cooperative with a cartridge having an endless traintype character bearing type member 12 which moves past a plurality ofprint positions being, for example, rotatably supported on pulleys 14and 16, of which the pulley 16 is operatively connected to suitabledrivin means such as the motor 18. The hammer mechanism 10 and the typecartridge member 12 are suitably supported in a generally rectangularenclosure 20 comprising a plurality of vertical and horizontalstructural frame members designated generally by the numerals 22a-n and24a-j for supporting inner, upper and lower wall or name members 26a andb and 28a and b having substantially horizontal shelf portions 30a and bpositioned therebetween to substantially enclose the space occupied bythe hammer unit and the type cartridge. The lower central front portionbetween the shelf portions 390 and b and cover members 28a and bprovides a storage bin 29 for a continuous forms document and isdisclosed to be closed at the front by a glass door 31 and at the rear:by a metal door 33 hinged at 33f on vertical frame member 22d andhaving a re-entrant horizontal portion 33a with a vertical drop section33b connected to a further re-entrant horizontal portion 330 definingwith vertical wall 33d and bottom shelf portion 332 an exterior documentreceptacle 35. The door 33 provides with the guide plate 62 a bafflewhich prevents any sound from reaching the outside except through thedocument path and acoustic trap 78.

A hinged top cover 32 comprising rear and forward sections 32:: and 32bwith dependent rear and front panels 320 and 32d is hingedly supportedon the top edge of the frame as by hinges 34, only one of which is shownfor the purpose of simplification, and the sections 32a and 3212 arethemselves provided with a hinged connection 32a therebetween. The cover32 when closed, rests on the upper edges of the frames at each end whichare provided 'with magnetic rubber seals 36 to provide the maximumsealingagainst sound. Similar seals are provided around the door 31 andthe other similar closure joints. I

Ventilating fans 40 and 42 are provided within the lower portion of theenclosure 20 beneath the shelf 30b at the left end for drawing air inthrough a filter 44-.and directing it by means of relatively long andnarrow noise damping flexible ducts 46 and 48 to built-in ventilating"channels 50, 52 and 54 for effecting ventilation of the carriage drivemechanism 56, through duct 50a, the print .cartridge motor 18, the printcartridge 12 and the hammer mechanism 10, respectively.

Referring particularly to FIG. 2, it will be seen that the continuousforms document 58 is fed from the receptacle 29 past the print stationbetween therprint hammer mechanism 10 and the type cartridge 12 by meansof a continuous forms tractor mechanism 60 which may be driven in asuitable manner. The document passes over a guide plate or bafile 62which is perforated as at 62b and has a backing of an acousticmaterialsuch as a fiberglass pad 64 to provide maximum sound absorption.The guide plate 62 as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 is generally channel-shapedin cross-section, having end flanges 65 which mate with dependingflanges 66 secured to the underside of the cover 32a to define a centraldocument path or passage in the closure As shown, the guide plate 62 hasa plurality of transverse ridges 67 and in a longitudinal direction isgenerally'curved or saddleshapcd, being bent to provide a plurality ofangularly related portions with corners 68, 68a, 71a and 71 therebetweenfor guiding the document in a generally U-shaped or approximately curvedpath and supporting the document 58 at spaced intervals. The guideplate62 may be suppo1ted by means of projecting flanges 626 on opposite sidesthereof, cooperating with tabs 70 on brackets 72 secured to the framefor supporting the cover operating mechanism, including a threaded screwrod 74. The guide plate 62 is supported in spaced relation with a pad ofsoundproofing material 76 secured to the underside of the cover 32 so asto provide a relatively long and narrow acoustic passage 78 throughwhichthe document 58 leaves the print station. The downwardly slopingportion 80 of the guide plate defines: with the acoustic pads 76 and 77on adjacent top and rear wall' portions 32a and 320 of the cover 32, anenlarged, an-

guiarly shaped acoustic passage. with assists in trapping sound carriedwithin the enclosure. The document 58 passes between the guide plate anda wire guide 82 through an opening 59 to a set of feed rolls 85 and 86'disposed on the outside of the enclosure adjacent the documentreceptacle 35. The document receptacle is defined by re-entrant portionof the rear wall or door 33 which is formed inwardly at 33c, 33d and 33eto provide receptacle 35 for a document tray 96. Acoustic pads 98 and99, positioned on opposite sides of the document path, define a narrowexit from the enlarged portion of the acoustic path, and are in effect acontinuation of the passage 78 which provides additional sound directedthrough the ducts 46, 48 and channels 59 and 52 to thev hydrauliccarriage mechanism 56, the cartridge motor 18, the cartridge 12 and thehammer mechanism It), and is then exhausted from the enclosure throughthe documentpath, by way of the acoustic passage 78 and opening 59,thus, minimizing the transmissionof sounds generated within theenclosure to the outside even though provision is made for storage ofthe document 58 in the exterior receptacle 35 where it can beconveniently referred to by the operator without opening the enclosure.

All of the functional mechanisms of the printer, with the exception ofthe stacker are thus enclosed in a metal and glass chamber. .The glassareas are provided for observation of the machine functions. All coverswhich allow access to the functional chamber are provided with air-tightmagnetic rubber seals to prevent leakage at the joints; An enclosedchamber is provided for the document supply and the document is fed fromthis chamber to the print station and then through the acoustical trapto the stacker area where ready access may be had to it by the operator.The acoustic trap has a rectangular cross-section of approximately oneby twenty inches and in the present instance, is approximately fourteeninches long with an extension of from eight to ten inches at the exit:This providesfor a reduction of the machine noises to well below thepermissible level on the outside.

While the invention has been particularly shownand described withreference to a preferred embodiment thereof, it will be understood bythose skilled in the art that various changes inform and detailsmay bemade therein without departing from the spirit and scope of theinvention.

What is claimed is:

1. The combination with a printer, having a print station for an impactprinting mechanism for printing on generally U-shaped path for directingthe document to an opening in the enclosure adjacent the feed rollmeans,

said guide plate. being positioned relative to the cover and said onewall to define therebetween an acoustic trap having a central portionwith restricted end portions for noises originating in said impactprinting mechanism.

2. In combination with an impact printing mechanism for printing on acontinuous form document,

an enclosure having four walls and a cover surrounding the mechanismwith acoustic. pads secured to the I inner surfaces thereof,

said enclosure having one'wall with a re-entrant portiondefining an opendocument receiving receptacle and a relatively narrow opening adjacentthe receptacle to provide a passage for feeding the document fromwithinthe enclosure to said receptacle,

a perforated guide plate positionedadjacent the cover to provide asupport surface for the document, said guide plate having a plurality oftransverse. ribs on which the document rests and defining with the coveran elongated, relatively narrow acoustic trap,

and feed roll means positioned outside the enclosure adjacent thereceptacle to maintain the document snug against said ribs.

3. The combination with an impact type print mechanism at a printstation. for printing on a continuous form document of,

an enclosure for said mechanism having four walls and acover hingedlysupported relative thereto,

said enclosure having a first opening in one wall for said document anda ,re-entrant portion adjacent thereto defining an open documentreceptacle,

a generally curved guide plate defining with the cover an acoustic traphaving a narrow throat at each end with a wider intermediate portion andsupporting the document from immediately adjacent the print station toadjacent said first opening, said guide plate being perforated andhaving a plurality of spaced apart. transverse ribs projecting above thesurface of the plate to support the document at spaced intervals,

feed roll means in the re-entrant portion for drawing the document fromthe print's tation snug against the ribs,

and ventilating means including at least one blower device associatedwith asecond opening in said enclosure for drawing air in through saidsecond opening to be exhausted through said acoustic trap and said firstopening. i

4. i The combination with a printer having a frame sup.

one of said walls having a re-entrant portion defining a receptacle fora continuous forms document and having an opening adjacent thereceptacle for passage of the document,

a perforated metal baffle positioned adjacent said cover, said bafilehaving a plurality of angularly related adjacent parts with transverseribs for guiding the document, said balfie having a backing of a soundabsorbent material and defining with the top and rear dependent edgeportion of the cover an elongated acoustic trap between the printmechanism and the wall opening having an enlarged intermediate portion,

feed roll means in the receptacle adapted to draw the document tautjoverthe spaced ribs of the battle,

and blower means connected to openings in the enclosure remot from thereceptacle opening for drawing air into the enclosure and directing itunder pressure to the impact hammer mechanism and character bearingprint mechanism, the acoustic trap and receptacle opening providing theonly exhaust path for such air.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS Powers 197-186Waldheim 197-186 Campbell 197-186 Waldheim 197-186 Youngberg 197-186 XWaldheim 197-186 Bates 197-186 X Weidner.

Maidment et al. 197-133 ROBERT E. PULFREY, Primary Examiner.

E. T. WRIGHT, Assistant Examiner.

1. THE COMBINATION WITH A PRINTER HAVING A PRINT STATION FOR AN IMPACTPRINTING MECHANISM FOR PRINTING ON A CONTINUOUS DOCUMENT OF, ANENCLOSURE FOR SAID MECHANISM HAVING A PLURALITY OF WALLS AND A COVERWITH AN OPEN DOCUMENT STORAGE RECEPTACLE IN ONE OF SAID WALLS, FEED ROLLMEANS POSITIONED ADJACENT THE RECEPTACLE FOR DRAWING SAID DOCUMENT FROMTHE PRINT STATION TOWARD THE RECEPTACLE, AND MEANS INCLUDING A GUIDEPLATE HAVING A PLURALITY OF ANGULARLY RELATED POSITIONS SEPARATED BYTRANSVERSE DOCUMENT SUPPORTING CORNER RIDGES AND DEFINING A GENERALLYU-SHAPED PATH FOR DIRECTING THE DOCUMENT TO AN OPENING IN THE ENCLOSUREADJACENT THE FEED ROLL MEANS, SAID GUIDE PLATE BEING POSITIONED RELATIVETO THE COVER AND SAID ONE WALL TO DEFINE THEREBETWEEN AN ACOUSTIC TRAPHAVING A CENTRAL PORTION WITH RESTRICTED END PORTIONS FOR NOISESORIGINATING IN SAID IMPACT PRINTING MECHANISM.